Gear

Digital Processing Systems has released their first Direct DV editing system, the DPS Spark. Using Adaptec's IEEE-1394 Firewire interface, the DPS Spark provides a direct link between Firewire-equipped DV camcorders and PCI-bus computers. Unlike most digital video capture systems, the Spark is not a digitizer; it simply provides a way to move existing digital video and audio in real time from a DV camcorder to a suitable hard disk (SCSI-2, 3.5MB/sec sustained transfer rate). DPS Spark comes bundled with Adobe Premiere 4.2 and a Firewire cable for easy setup. (606) 371-3729.

Suggested retail price: $995

Also throwing its hat into the DV-capture ring is Fast Electronics, whose DV Master capture card aims to provide an easy way to transfer analog or digital audio and video from a camcorder directly to a hard drive. With Sony's hardware-based "DV Gear" codec chips, the DV master will provide real-time conversion between analog audio/video and DV audio/video (up to six times faster than some software-based DV codecs). Edit machine control can also be transmitted via the Firewire interface for a true hybrid editing solution on a single cable. (415) 295-3500.

Suggested retail price: Under $5000

Not content to be left in the dust, miro Computer Products Inc. is offering its own DV capture solution, the miroVIDEO DV 100. Both Windows95 and MacOS compatible, the DV 100 is a PCI plug-and-play card that will install into either a Macintosh or PC-based system. Bundled with the DV 100 is an elegant new storyboard-based capture and editing utility, intended to provide an easy way to get video editing beginners into the world of nonlinear editing. (800) 474-6476.

Suggested retail price: $999

Hitachi has delivered on its promise to provide a hard-disk- based, MPEG-1, multimedia-quality digital video camera for Web, CD-ROM, home and office applications. Using the world's first single-chip codec, a tiny PCMCIA type III hard disk and a 1.8-inch LCD screen, the Hitachi MPEG camera provides about 20 minutes of full-motion, 1/4-screen digital video and audio, 3000 still JPEG images or 1000 10- second still images with audio. Other features include 3x optical zoom (6x digital), remote control operation and an easy-interface kit for transferring data to your PC. (800) HITACHI.

Suggested retail price: Around $2500

Soneira Technologies' DisplayMate for Windows helps you set up and test your computer monitor for the best possible viewing results. Since nonlinear videographers often use the computer screen to preview their video files, products like Soneira's DisplayMate are a necessity for digital videographers who want more precise control over colors, resolution and similar factors. With support for color depths up to 24-bit and an easily configured interface that allows you to choose your own level of complexity, DisplayMate for Windows offers nearly all computer users a way to evaluate--and in many cases, improve--the output of their computer monitors. (908) 747-6886.

Suggested retail price: $129

Play inc. now offers a new software interface for Snappy, the popular PC-based video frame grabber that plugs directly into the parallel port of any 386 or better PC. Though the hardware is the same, the new 32-bit Snappy software gives the user a wider range of choices in a hip new format. Updated features include controls for Crop and View Detail, and a wider range of choices for image size (from 64x48 to 1500x1125 pixels) and color depth (16 to 16.7 million colors). Bundled software includes Adobe PhotoDeluxe, Kai's Power Goo SE and an enhanced version of Gryphon Morph. (530) 851-0800.

Suggested retail price: $199

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